Air-admitting expansible link bracelet

ABSTRACT

The outer links of a two-layer link bracelet are substantially wider in the longitudinal direction of the bracelet than the inner links, which are in contact with the skin of the wearer so that the outer links are spaced from the skin. Openings in the outer links permit air to flow into the spaces under the outer links and between the inner links.

United States Patent B, 80, 82; 224/4 B, 4 D, 4 H; 63/4, 5 R, 11

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,918,785 12/1959 Bartholma 59/79 R FOREIGN PATENTS 734,171 5/1966 Canada 59/79 R 1,045,136 2/1958 Germany..... 59/79 R 1,230,249 12/1966 Germany 59/79 R 894,680 4/1962 Great Britain 59/79 R Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham I Assistant ExaminerGene P. Crosby Att0rneyMichaeI S. Striker ABSTRACT: The outer links of a two-layer link bracelet are substantially wider in the longitudinal direction of the bracelet than the inner links, which are in contact with the skin of the wearer so that the outer links are spaced from the skin. Openings in the outer links permit air to flow into the spaces under the outer links and between the inner links.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Expansible link bands, particularly link bracelets used as watch bands, are known which have inner and outer layers of alternating'inner and outer links. Resilient connecting means connect the inner and outer links.

Metal link bracelets of this type are found irritating and annoying by persons who wear the bracelet at high temperatures, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, since the contracted bracelet tightly covers the skin and prevents any air circulation so that continuous perspiration takes place which cannot evaporate, so that the skin is moist with perspiration which may cause irritation of the skin and rashes.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome this disadvantage of expansible link bracelets and watch straps, and to provide an expansible link bracelet which admits air to the skin.

A related object of the invention is to provide a link bracelet permitting the evaporation of perspiration accumulating under the bracelet.

Another object of the invention is to provide a link bracelet with large openings in links which are not in contact with the skin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With these objects in view, the present invention provides an expansible link bracelet with an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer links are much wider than the inner links, and have large openings through which air can flow into the space between the skin, the inner face of the respective outer link, and the adjacent inner links which abut the skin.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a row of inner links forming an inner layer and having inner faces in contact with the skin; a row of outer links alternating with the inner links and forming an outer layer, the outer links being substantially wider in the longitudinal direction of the bracelet than the inner links; and resilient connecting means connecting each outer link with the two adjacent inner links. The bracelet has an expanded condition in which the outer links and inner links are spaced from each other, respectively, and a contracted normal position in which only the outer links abut each other and the inner links are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the bracelet.

Consequently the inner faces of the portions of the outer links which are located between inner links, are located opposite the skin of the wearer spaced from the same by the inner links.

These portions of the outer links have openings therethrough so that air can flow to the skin between the inner links.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer links have a top wall portion, sidewall portions, and narrow bottom wall portions forming bearings in which shaft portions of the resilient connecting means are mounted for turning movement. The bearings may be closed by bending the respective bottom wall portions, but in order to permit removal of links for adjustment of the length of the bracelet, some of the links have bottom wall portions parallel to the top wall portion, and the shaft portions of the connecting means are retained by a resilient frame-shaped plate which is inserted between the bottom wall portions and the top wall portion, and retains the shaft portions of the resilient connecting means so that the resilient locking plate has to be first removed, before the connecting means and the respective inner link can be detached from the respective outer link.

This arrangement has the advantage that links can be removed and added in accordance with the desired length of the bracelet, without bending portions ofthe links.

The resilient locking plate has an opening of such a width that the circulation of air'through the opening in the top wall portion of the outer link is not impaired, and the resilient locking plate is not visible. For the same reason, the inner links are so narrow that they are not visible through the openings in the top wall portions of the outer links.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic -for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view illustrating a link band according to the invention in a contracted condition;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the link band shown in FIG. ll;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the link band of FIG. 1 in an expanded condition;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the expanded link band shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary bottom view illustrating on an enlarged scale, partly in cross section, a portion of the expanded link band shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on line VI-VI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line VII-VII in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective bottom view illustrating a locking member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The link band has an outer and upper layer of outer links 1, and an inner and lower layer of inner links 2, which alternate with links 1. Each outer link 1 is connected with the two adjacent inner links 2 by a bent rod 3 whose end portions are located in the inner links 2, and are spring biased in the same so that the link band is resiliently urged to assume the contracted position shown in FIG. l in which the outer links I abut each other. When the link band is expanded to the condition shown in FIG. 3, the outer links 1 are spaced from each other, and the inner links 2 rise toward the space between two adjacent outer links 1.

In accordance with the invention, the outer links 1 are extremely wide in the longitudinal direction of the link band so that the inner links 2 are spaced a substantial distance from each other in the contracted condition shown in FIG. 1, and are separated by wide spaces 4. Since only the inner faces of the inner links 2 abut the skin of the wearer of a bracelet formed of the link band, the inner faces 1a of the outer links are spaced from the skin, permitting the circulation of air over the skin between the inner links 2.

Each outer link I is formed of a bent plate having a top wall portion 5, a pair of end wall portions 6, a pair of sidewall portions 7, and a pair of narrow bottom wall portions 8 inwardly projecting from the sidewall portions and forming bearings for shaft portions 9 of the bent rods 3. A selected number of outer links 1 has the bottom wall portions 8 lbent toward the shaft portion 9 to the position 8 shown for the left link in FIG. 6. The bent bottom wall portions 8 form with the respective sidewall portion 7 and the top wall portion a bearing in which the shaft portion is held so that rod 3 and the inner link 2 connected therewith are permanently attached to the respective outer link 1.

However, since the length of a bracelet must be adjusted to the circumference of the wrist of the wearer, at least one, and preferably several, outer links l have bottom portions bent to the shape 8", as shown for the outer link 1 on the right of FIG. 6, and also in FIG. 7. The open bearings for the shaft portions 9 formed by the bottom wall portions 8" would not retain the shaft portions 9, so that the respective links could be separated and detached from each other. While this is desirable for adjusting the length of the bracelet, it must be prevented during normal wear of the same, and consequently a framenshaped resilient locking member 11, best seen in FIG.

8, is inserted into each outer link 1', as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The resilient locking plate has a pair of transverse portions 12, and a pair of longitudinal portions 13 extending in the direction of the link band. The resilient locking plate 1 1 has a central rectangular opening 17. The transverse portions 12 are M-shaped as best seen in FIG. 1 and have central extremities 14 abutting the bottom wall portions 8", and two other extremities l abutting transverse strip portions 5 of top wall portion 5 which bound the rectangular openings 10 in the top wall portion 5 of the outer links. The ends of portions 12 are connected by portions 13 which are bent away from the extremities 15 so that the transverse ends of the resilient locking plate 11 are located outwardly of bottom wall portions 8" and inwardly of the downwardly bent end wall portions 6, permitting removal and insertion of the resilient locking plate 11.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the width of the locking plate 11 in the longitudinal direction of the link band corresponds to the distance of the two shaft portion 9 held by each outer link 1, and as best seen in FIG. 7, each transverse portion 12 crosses the respective shaft portion 9 four times so that the shaft portions are reliably retained during normal use of the bracelet. However, when the resilient locking member 11 is removed in transverse direction, the respective shaft portion 9 can be detached from the open bearing formed by bottom wall portion 8", so that the respective inner link 2 can be removed together with outer links connected therewith.

The rectangular openings 10 have such a width in longitudinal direction that the transverse strip portion 5' of the top wall portion 5, cover the narrow bottom wall portions 8 in the positions 8' and 8", so that they are not visible through the openings 10. Similarly, the strip portions 5' of two adjacent outer links, extend together over a longitudinal distance which is slightly greater than the longitudinal extension of the respective inner links 2 in the contracted condition of the link band, so that the inner link 2 cannot be seen through the openings 10 in the respective adjacent outer links 1. However, the skin of the wearer is freely accessible through openings 10, and air can flow through openings 10 to the space 4 between longitudinally spaced inner links 4 so that perspiration can evaporate. ln any event, due to the fact that only the narrow inner links 2 are in contact with the skin, perspiration is reduced as compared with link bracelets according to the prior art.

Instead of the stamped resilient plate 11, a resilient locking means consisting of wire and bent into a suitable shape may be used for closing the open bearing 16 formed by the bottom wall portions 8" so that the shaft portions 9 are held in place. A locking member formed of wire may have the same configuration as the locking plate 11, or may be located in a plane passing through the shaft portions 9 abutting the same.

In the contracted position of the link bracelet, when the sidewalls 7 of adjacent outer links 1 abut each other, and the inner links 2 are spaced a substantial distance, as best seen in H6. 6, air can freely flow through the openings 10 into the free spaces 4 between consecutive inner links 2, and the outer links 1 are spaced from the skin by the inner links 2 and the legs 30 at the ends of the shaft portion 9 of each bent rod 3 which forms part of the resilient connecting means connecting each outer link 1 with two inner links 2. lf the length of a bracelet formed of the link band is to be adjusted in accordance with the wrist of the person wearing it, the resilient locking member 11 is pulled out of the respective outer link 1 in transverse direction by pointed pliers, and the respective shaft portion 9 is pushed inward in the respective outer link until the bent rod 3 is released and can be moved between the inner confronting edges of bottom wall portions 8" for separatingthe respective inner link 2 from the outer link 2'. By a reversed procedure, a link 2 with a rod 3 can be inserted into an open bearing formed by a bottom wall portion 8", and secured in place by insertion of the resilient locking plate 1 1.

It' will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of expansible link bands differing from the type described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a link bracelet whose links alternately engage the skin and are spaced from the same for permitting evaporation of perspiration, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Expansible link bracelet having a longitudinal direction, and comprising a row of inner links forming an inner layer and having inner faces adapted to be in contact with the skin of the wearer of the bracelet; a row of outer links alternating with said inner links and forming an outer layer, said outer links being substantially wider in said longitudinal direction than said inner links; and resilient connecting means connecting each outer link with the two adjacent inner links so that said rows of inner and outer links have an expanded position in which said outer links and inner links are spaced from each other, respectively, and a contracted position in which only said outer links abut each other and said inner links are spaced from each other in said longitudinal direction whereby the portions of said outer links located between said inner links have inner faces located opposite the skin of the wearer spaced from the same by said inner links, said portions of said outer links being formed with openings therethrough connecting the outer and inner faces of said outer links so that air can flow through said openings into and out of the spaces between said inner links to the skin of the wearer.

2. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outer links are formed of a bent plate having a top wall portion formed with said openings, a pair of opposite sidewall portions and a pair of narrow spaced bottom wall portions inward bent from said sidewall portions; and wherein each resilient connecting means includes a bent rod having a shaft portion transverse to said longitudinal direction and tumably supported by one of said bottom portions of an outer link, and pair of leg portions at the ends of said shaft portions, and end portions located in an inner link, said leg portions of each pair being located outside of said outer and inner links at the ends of the same.

3. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least some of said outer links have said narrow bottom wall portions bent toward said sidewall portions and each embracing said shaft portion to form a bearing for the same in which said shaft portion is confined so that said shaft portion cannot be detached from the respective outer link.

4. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 2 wherein said bottom wall portions of each outer link have transverse edges spaced a predetermined distance in said longitudinal direction; and wherein said openings in said top wall portions extend in said longitudinal direction a smaller distance than said predetermined distance so that airflow through said openings is not obstructed by said bottom wall portions.

5. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 4 wherein said top wall portions are rectangular and elongated in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction; wherein said openings are rectangular and are bounded in said transverse direction by narrow transverse strip portions of said top wall portion, said strip portions of two adjacent outer links being adjacent in said contracted position; and wherein inner links are not wider than two adjacent strip portions in said longitudinal direction whereby each inner link is-covered by strip portions of the two adjacent outer links. I i

6. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one of said outer links has said narrow bottom wall portions bent parallel to the respective top wall portion and forming with the same and with the respective sidewall portions open bearings for said shaft portions; and comprising a resilient locking member located in said one outer link abutting said bottom wall portions and said top wall portion and closing said open bearings so that said shaft portions are retained in the same, said resilient member being removable from said one outer link so that any one of said shaft portions in the same can be moved out of said open bearing whereby the respective connecting means and inner link are separated from said one outer link whereby the length of the bracelet can be adjusted.

7. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 6 wherein said outer links are rectangular and elongated in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction; and wherein said resilient locking member is a rectangular frame-shaped resilient plate having a central rectangular opening, a pair of transverse portions, and a pair of longitudinal portions connecting said transverse portions, said transverse portions being M-shaped in a plane extending in said transverse direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, and being located between said top wall portion and said bottom wall portions resiliently engaging the same.

8. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 7 wherein each M- shaped transverse portion of said resilient plate has a central extremity abutting sad bottom wall portion, and two other extremitiesabutting said top wall portion, and a pair of end portions connected with the respective longitudinal portion and positioning the same at the level of said bottom portions outward of the same in said transverse direction; and wherein said top wall portion has downward bent end wall portions at the transverse ends thereof ending above said bottom portions and said longitudinal portion of said resilient plate so that the same can be removed from said one outer link.

9. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said resilient connecting means is a bent wire.

10. Link bracelet as claimed in claim ll wherein said outer links are formed of a bent plate having a top wall portion formed with said openings, a pair of opposite sidewall portions and a pair of narrow spaced bottom wall portions inward bent from said sidewall portions; wherein each resilient connecting means includes a bent rod having a shaft portion transverse to said longitudinal direction and tumably supported by one of said bottom portions of an outer link, a pair of leg portions at the ends of said shaft portions, and end portions located in an inner link, said leg portions of each pair being located outside of said outer and inner links at the ends of the same; wherein at least one of said outer links has said narrow bottom wall portions bent parallel to the respective top wall portion and forming with the same and with the respective sidewall portions open bearings for said shaft portions; comprising a resilient locking member located in said one outer link abutting said bottom wall portions and said top wall portion and closing said open bearings so that said shaft portions are retained in the same, said resilient member being removable from said one outer link so that any one of said shaft portions in the same can be moved out of said open bearing whereby the respective connecting means and inner link are separated from said one outer link whereby the length of the bracelet can be adjusted; and wherein the remaining outer links have said narrow bottom wall portions bent: toward said sidewall portions and each embracing said shaft portion to form a bearing for the same in which said shaft portion is confined so that said shaft portion cannot be detached from the respective outer link. 

1. Expansible link bracelet having a longitudinal direction, and comprising a row of inner links forming an inner layer and having inner faces adapted to be in contact with the skin of the wearer of the bracelet; a row of outer links alternating with said inner links and forming an outer layer, said outer links being substantially wider in said longitudinal direction than said inner links; and resilient connecting means connecting each outer link with the two adjacent inner links so that said rows of inner and outer links have an expanded position in which said outer links and inner links are spaced from each other, respectively, and a contracted position in which only said outer links abut each other and said inner links are spaced from each other in said longitudinal direction whereby the portions of said outer links located between said inner links have inner faces located opposite the skin of the wearer spaced from the same by said inner links, said portions of said outer links being formed with openings therethrough connecting the outer and inner faces of said outer links so that air can flow through said openings into and out of the spaces between said inner links to the skin of the wearer.
 2. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outer links are formed of a bent plate having a top wall portion formed with said openings, a pair of opposite sidewall portions and a pair of narrow spaced bottom wall portions inward bent from said sidewall portions; and wherein each resilient connecting means includes a bent rod having a shaft portion transverse to said longitudinal direction and turnably supported by one of said bottom portions of an outer link, and pair of leg portions at the ends of said shaft portions, and end portions located in an inner link, said leg portions of each pair being located outside of said outer and inner links at the ends of the same.
 3. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least some of said outer links have said narrow bottom wall portions bent toward said sidewall portions and each embracing said shaft portion to form a bearing for the same in which said shaft portion is confined so that saiD shaft portion cannot be detached from the respective outer link.
 4. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 2 wherein said bottom wall portions of each outer link have transverse edges spaced a predetermined distance in said longitudinal direction; and wherein said openings in said top wall portions extend in said longitudinal direction a smaller distance than said predetermined distance so that airflow through said openings is not obstructed by said bottom wall portions.
 5. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 4 wherein said top wall portions are rectangular and elongated in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction; wherein said openings are rectangular and are bounded in said transverse direction by narrow transverse strip portions of said top wall portion, said strip portions of two adjacent outer links being adjacent in said contracted position; and wherein inner links are not wider than two adjacent strip portions in said longitudinal direction whereby each inner link is covered by strip portions of the two adjacent outer links.
 6. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one of said outer links has said narrow bottom wall portions bent parallel to the respective top wall portion and forming with the same and with the respective sidewall portions open bearings for said shaft portions; and comprising a resilient locking member located in said one outer link abutting said bottom wall portions and said top wall portion and closing said open bearings so that said shaft portions are retained in the same, said resilient member being removable from said one outer link so that any one of said shaft portions in the same can be moved out of said open bearing whereby the respective connecting means and inner link are separated from said one outer link whereby the length of the bracelet can be adjusted.
 7. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 6 wherein said outer links are rectangular and elongated in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction; and wherein said resilient locking member is a rectangular frame-shaped resilient plate having a central rectangular opening, a pair of transverse portions, and a pair of longitudinal portions connecting said transverse portions, said transverse portions being M-shaped in a plane extending in said transverse direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, and being located between said top wall portion and said bottom wall portions resiliently engaging the same.
 8. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 7 wherein each M-shaped transverse portion of said resilient plate has a central extremity abutting sad bottom wall portion, and two other extremities abutting said top wall portion, and a pair of end portions connected with the respective longitudinal portion and positioning the same at the level of said bottom portions outward of the same in said transverse direction; and wherein said top wall portion has downward bent end wall portions at the transverse ends thereof ending above said bottom portions and said longitudinal portion of said resilient plate so that the same can be removed from said one outer link.
 9. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said resilient connecting means is a bent wire.
 10. Link bracelet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outer links are formed of a bent plate having a top wall portion formed with said openings, a pair of opposite sidewall portions and a pair of narrow spaced bottom wall portions inward bent from said sidewall portions; wherein each resilient connecting means includes a bent rod having a shaft portion transverse to said longitudinal direction and turnably supported by one of said bottom portions of an outer link, a pair of leg portions at the ends of said shaft portions, and end portions located in an inner link, said leg portions of each pair being located outside of said outer and inner links at the ends of the same; wherein at least one of said outer links has said narrow bottom wall portions bent parallel to the respectIve top wall portion and forming with the same and with the respective sidewall portions open bearings for said shaft portions; comprising a resilient locking member located in said one outer link abutting said bottom wall portions and said top wall portion and closing said open bearings so that said shaft portions are retained in the same, said resilient member being removable from said one outer link so that any one of said shaft portions in the same can be moved out of said open bearing whereby the respective connecting means and inner link are separated from said one outer link whereby the length of the bracelet can be adjusted; and wherein the remaining outer links have said narrow bottom wall portions bent toward said sidewall portions and each embracing said shaft portion to form a bearing for the same in which said shaft portion is confined so that said shaft portion cannot be detached from the respective outer link. 